New measures to help parents achieve a work-life balance have been launched at a Downing Street creche.

New measures to help parents achieve a work-life balance have been launched at a Downing Street creche.

Tony Blair took a break from the war in Iraq to host a breakfast reception for a group of parents and their employers who will benefit from flexible working rights.

As their babies and toddlers took the century-old Persian rug on the floor of No 10's White Room to task with plastic hammers and toy cars, working mothers and fathers hailed benefits to them from the changes.

Now, parents of children under six, and disabled children under 18, can ask employers to consider requests to work flexibly so they can juggle home and work.

Fathers now have the right to two weeks' paid paternity leave, maternity pay has increased and parents who adopt have new rights covering pay and leave.

Mr Blair said the changes would have a significant impact on the lives of families.

Mr Blair said: "These measures will help mothers and fathers combine working lives with time with their children. People have got the right to flexible working, to balance work and their family life.

"It is good for families but also good for employers, as employers know flexibility at work can boost productivity."

But some business leaders say the new law will damage firms and cause resentment among workers with no children.